not this cute anymore!
Let me apologize ahead of time for a boring post, but I have some blogging business items to address...
1. People always want to know how to make the collages. They are SUPER easy-- all you need to do is download free software from Picasa. I promise you it will make your blogging world that much better. Picasa edits, crops, makes collages with a single click AND has a button that says, "BLOG THIS" when your pictures are ready. What more do you want, people?
2. One of the main reasons why I use collages so often (besides the fact that they take about 2 minutes to create) is because I am in the process of printing my blog into a book. I am currently editing "2007: A year in the life of the Shumways" The software that I am using is Blurb Booksmart and it's going to be great! However, when I downloaded my 2007 posts, I had a total of 224 pages. I am trying to edit that down to 100 (talk about a headache!) One lesson I have learned is that collages are the BEST way to go. Of course, this is just my opinion. But I am working with over 700 pictures here, and when 20+ are condensed into a single shot, it makes life that much easier.. at least in my life/book :) FYI-- slideshows are fun, but they won't convert over to the printing software, so if you eventually want them a part of your book, I would save yourself a step and do without them.. I'm all about making things simple!
3. If you are interested in making your own playlist with your favorite music, the site I use is www.playlist.com It's relatively easy (search for a song by title and add it to your list.) It will give you an HTML code to install on your blog.. and that's it.
4. why don't people comment? What is it about commenting that is so scary or so difficult? And I am not talking about friends who visit regularly or link themselves to my blog.. but what about EVERYONE else? Yesterday I had over 350 hits on my blog [which is almost twice my regular viewers.] Who are you people? Do you know me? Why don't you introduce yourselves? And if you are coming back everyday, you obviously want to be friends! Can't we all just be friends? I know that the common excuse is that they don't have time to comment, but why are you reading the blog in the first place if you don't have time? If this sounds like a lecture, then you don't know me by now. It's not that I don't want you to visit... it's just that I would like you to come out of the closet and say hello. Don't be shy! **Not to embarrass anyone out there...(but frankly, I don't know who you are, so I don't care.) Someone was reading my blog for over 3 hours yesterday. At least 50 of the 350 hits were from this person.. they were going through ALL my archives. Should I be worried? Or are you an old pal just getting caught up on the last 18 months of my life? I don't know if I should be flattered or freaked out...
4. Which brings me to another topic.. do you stress with the decision to go private? I juggle with it everyday. I love being able to connect with old friends and I don't mind when strangers visit, but I know there are CRAZies out there.. and what if they are the ones visiting my site 30 times a day? I mean, my kids are cute and someone just might want to steal them.
5. if you have a blog and aren't currently using a tracking system, I would advise you to get one. I use StatCounter but I know there are others that might be a little more user-friendly. My stats show how many people visit, where they live, what time they log in, what page links them to my blog, how long they stay, etc. It only tracks their computer id # but it's not hard to figure out who is who.. unless that is, they NEVER introduce themselves.. hint, hint.
So, what are your thoughts? Should I go private? Any tips on how to make blogging easier? Who uses Google reader? (It informs you what blogs have new updates..) I haven't gotten around to signing up for it... but I am sure it would save a lot of time--instead of scrolling through my favorite 50 blogs.. Can you believe how MANY families have blogs?? It's taking over the world... (and I love it!)
To comment, click on the link below that says "Clever Comments"
(but don't feel pressure to say something CLEVER... I'll take anything except threats and perverted comments :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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31 comments:
YOU'LL HAVE TO TELL MY HOW YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BLURB HAS BEEN SO FAR. i TRIED TO DOWNLOAD MY BLOG AND NO PICTURES WOULD COME UP..VERY FRUSTRATING!!!
Janet--once again, this is Jessie (Wilde) Kilger.
First off, thanks for the explanation on the collages--I've been wondering how to do those for a while now, and was about to comment on one of your other posts asking how they're done.
Second, I don't know exactly how my rss feed reader works (Newsfire, for anyone that's interested), but it pulls all my favorite blogger's new entries and the comments into one app, where I am able to see them. This saves me the time and energy of surfing around trying to look at everyone, which I love, but I don't know how many hits it would show on your statcounter, so hopefully it isn't messing things up too much for you--I'm not a werido or a crazy, I promise! I just like to read up on you and your boys. :)
I really enjoy reading your blog and getting ideas for things we can do to teach and entertain our kids... even though I only have one daughter, and one that will be here in about a month. If you do decide to go private, I only hope you'll invite me to keep looking at your blog.
I'm sorry I never comment. I feel guilty about it too because I laugh at your blog everyday. You crack me up and your kids are so cute. but I don't have a blog, so I feel like I can spy on everyone else without having to be accountable. Little did I know that YOU KNOW how often I check back! I would be so sad if you went private and didn't invite me.
I know! I hope you don't think I'm crazy, but sometimes I check your blog to look at others because you have all those links to other peoples blogs which I am probably stalking, but I figure there aren't that many people from Scotland checking out your blog so you must know it is me! Thanks for the collage tips!
Maybe the person who was on your blog yesterday for 3 hours opened it, like the music, and kept it open so they could hear your music while they cleaned. It wasn't me, but I have done that before.
I have thought about going private, but really like that I've caught up with old friends (like you) because of blog. I don't want to limit that, but I don't want the crazies either.
I wish people would comment more too. I can't even count the number of times someone has said they've read my blog but haven't commented. I try to post a comment often!
I've thought about going private too, but like you've said, I like when old friends find me. Some friends visit my site and I don't even know they do,(because they don't comment) but then I talk to them later and they tell me how much they like my blog. So thats why I haven't closed mine.
I really don't mind when someone stays on my blog for a while.. and I post the music so others can listen to it.. but yesterday I really got freaked because someone (I don't know) logged on and read every entry.. they weren't just listen to a few tunes, if you know what I mean. If I knew it was someone safe, I wouldn't care, but what if........... I am kind of freaking out today.
Hurray now I can make collages! I really want to make my blog into a book when its bigger. I LOVED your pg thirteen comment about if you think mommy is pretty raise your..... so funny! You are clever and funny and your kids too, that is probably why creeps like me stalk your blog. Lets be official friends now so I am not a stalker creep.
Sophia
Google reader is the BEST invention. It takes no time at all to catch up with your favorite blogs. You really should sign up - so worth it.
I always wonder about making our blog private too. But I really love connecting with people through it. So I don't know - I guess I don't have a good answer. One thing I did was change a setting on my blog so it can't be found through Internet searches. That way people I don't know can't just happen upon it because they were looking for "Guns & Roses Christmas Album" (seriously, I got a hit from that Google search).
Kristen, my blog supposedly isn't supposed to be found on google searches (I changed it several months ago) but somehow it always is. I can't seem to stop that.. any ideas?
Hey Janet! Thanks for all the great tips. I too wondered how you do all the cool collages so now I know. Sorry I've never commented before. It's intimidating because then you know that everyone else will read what you've written. I love checking out your blog seeing what's up with you and the boys, and it gives me great ideas for my blog. That is SO cool that you're making yours into a book. I was just thinking the other day that google should give people the option to publish their blogs so that people who use it as a scrabook/journal can have a hard copy. It would make a great gift too!
How do you know who is on you blog? I don't have that on mine. I would like to know whose looking. I hope no freaks are stalking you!! I might go private just because a friend of mine got a creepy comment. It's sad when creeps have to ruin a good thing.
You have some great ideas - thanks for sharing them!
Thanks for all the good info and I love that you are calling people out on not commenting!
Thank you for sharing how to do collages, I have always wondered and forgot to ask when I saw you last.
I just typed a forever long comment....and dang, it's gone....that's why I dont comment :)
Thanks for the info! I am always learning something new when I read your blog! I agree about the no commenting thing, I would love to have our family leave comments on our blog too...they just think that it's way too complicated?!
I am a lurker and sorry if I am scaring you, but I am a big fan. I don't know how I came across your blog originally, but I have been faithful reader for about 6 months now. You make me laugh everyday! And I believe I have referred several of my friends to your blog.. even emailing post links to others who I know would enjoy it. I guess I just didn't ever think to comment because you don't know me. I can see how you might want to switch to private, but there are many of us that enjoy your daily posts. Please keep it up!
I don't have a blog of my own, or I would send the link. My name is Tracy and I live in Arkansas.
You know, I feel better already coming clean! Thanks for the scolding!
I can't believe I am doing this, but you were convincing enough. I am your reader from Boston.. and let me just say that you are hilarious. It's embarrassing to say that I am a fan because most blogging is done by the females, but I am a dad and I get a kick out of your kids and what they say.
Your optimism on life is inspiring!
(this will probably be the last comment from me, but that doesn't mean I am not reading every day.)
hi Janet. I am a friend from a friend from a friend and I live in Canada. I have been a big fan of your blog ever since the starburst video! Even though we don't know each other, I feel like I can relate to your posts and they make me want to be a better mom. I don't have a blog either, so I don't feel qualified to comment. Now I know better. If you go private, I would LOVE an invite!
Hey Janet,
You probably don't know me, I went to West Jordan but I was younger and undoubtedly a peon. My name then was Jenifer Williams. I married Jeremy Sorensen (which I don't know if you knew him either). But I linked to your blog through Kristen. I just started my own blog and was trying to get a clue as to what was good to put on there and cute ideas as to where to take it, so I was looking at as many as I could to get ideas. I must say that you have an awesome blog and a cute family. Kudos! Sorry if my silent stalking also scared you!
Wow. Great blogging tips. I feel like a half-committed blogger. I scrape by posting what I can and skimming glimpses of friends and family. Blogging is amazing! I am also SO guilty of opening a blog and then doing something else...like just now...feeding the baby, switching a load of laundry and THEN coming back. Oh yeah, I was looking at a blog! It feels kind of weird to know people are watching what I'm looking at. It's like blog stalking in reverse! So weird. Cool how people are coming out of the woodwork! Your blog is realistic, funny, interesting, educatinal, uplifting and all around entertaining. Why wouldn't people want to visit? :)
PS- last week I created a new blog to use as my personal journal, and I marked it so only I could write and read it. I think! Is it not as safe as I thought??
Hello Great DIL....You asked, so I'm contributing. I am all for going private...there is so much information that could lead to problems, and I love all of you too much to have something "freaky" happen. We love to be positive, but bad things do happen to good people. Is it possible to have a second blog or a My Space or something where you can share all your great information, ideas, and life tips without sharing personal information? Then, your private blog can be for the more up close and personal happenings. Your old friends know where you grew up and how to reach your parents, so they can find you if they need to. How do you know these new people really are who they say they are? You can be selective after you check out the new-found friends. "Go private with the personal stuff and go public with the non-personal"...it may be more hassle for you, but more safe, too...that's my heartfelt comment. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Hi Janet!
I love reading your posts so I hope you will let me continue! MY email is sbickmore@hotmail.com I promise to never steal your children or stalk you professionally I will just read your blog and giggle!
Sophia
Wow, I can't spell. HILARIOUS.
Janet, you HAVE to use Google Reader. I can't imagine reading all the blogs I like to keep up on without it! EASY on the stalkers you get! Yikes. That's what you get when you are hilarhious, clever, and gorgeous. A VERY bad combination. Kidding. I'm assuming that since you went private, something happened that really freaked you out. I'm glad that I was on the invite list. Phew!
Well, Katelyn was visiting the past couple of weeks and I know she had a lot of down time at our place while we were at school. I'm pretty sure she went through your whole blog...maybe it was her the other day??? I know she was laughing about the pg-13 dinner conversation! :)
Hi Janet,
I have been enjoying your blog daily since you guys visited in November. It is always a delight. I love all the funny stories.
We are loving our homeschooling and are discovering (or rediscovering) the fun of learning--all of us. I am so grateful to you for sharing your approach and ideas. This new paradigm has even transformed how I go about my dissertation research.
We have started a little tradition of every morning taking turns telling something that we each want to learn that day. We are becoming joyful learners.
Thanks!
Graton
Janet you are awesome. I am trying ,as you know my own Blog I should have gotten a hold of you while I was in Vegas to get help and just to meet you,that would have been great{ I sat around on thursday four five hours waiting for everyone to arrive} We had a great time. I am going to try that stat counter and I really want to save my blog as a journal thanks for the tips.
Thank you for all of your blogging helps! Your blog is an absolute inspiration! How has "the private sector" been so far?
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